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23.09.2015

Whitlock ready for emotional return to Glasgow

It’s been more than a year since a memorable Commonwealth Games for Max Whitlock but the memories will come flooding back next month.

The 22-year-old gymnast came home with five medals to his name from Glasgow – three of which were gold – to add to the triple he won in Delhi four years earlier.

Whitlock is one of the country’s leading names in the sport and shot into the public eye with two bronze medals at London 2012.

Since then there have been two silver medals at world level and he is looking to add to that when the World Championships arrive in Glasgow next month.

And Whitlock is hoping that he can channel some of the Commonwealth spirit into his performances as he looks to conquer the world.

“The Commonwealth Games is actually one of my favourite competitions that I’ve been to,” he said.

“Coming off the back of that will give me a lot of confidence. I’m really, really chuffed with that competition.

“Especially as my next competition is the World Championships, which is in exactly the same arena, so I’m looking forward to getting back in there. Hopefully I can do a really good job.

“The World Championships is the next target, and hopefully Team GB can go there and do a good job.

“You can feel the build up to the World Championships coming round so quick; we’re looking at it now and looking forward to them.”

With the likes of Louis Smith coming back to competition and young athletes such as Brinn Bevan coming through, the strength of the team building up to Rio is promising.
But Whitlock says that the group is unified in its goal to help the team succeed at the highest level.

“To be honest it’s mainly a team-based unit, everyone has their own strengths and gymnastics is a very individual sport,” he added. “Everyone does their own job to help the team.

“And that’s what it’s all about, and that’s why we train together a lot. We’re in training at the moment in gym camp and it’s all about bouncing off each other and working hard for the team.

“The bigger the strength and depth we have, the better. That’s what we always think.

“With Louis coming back, we know he can post a good score in the pommel, which he’s proved quite a few times, so this makes the team stronger. It’s exciting to have him back.”

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